Sample Thesis Work In Progress

I am in for the brief spell of time to work on thesis paintings amidst all the "busy work". Here is a sample sketch and painting for my work on Iron John.
I am really excited about working on the four thesis pieces with the fifth separate show piece. I really hope my results are satisfactory!

Iron John's face is going to be changing a bit in the process - as you can see - inevitably. 

Iron John, Full Title/Cover, 16 1/2 x 25 1/2", Watercolor, 2011.

Iron John, Full Title/Cover, Pencil Sketch, 2011.

Concepts for Character Design

Having to come up with character design for certain people called Newlies from the book The Prophecy Machine, by Neal Barret, Jr., I worked with the character known as the Mycer Seer, a mostly human female Seer, or oracle of sorts, who has mouse-like remnants in her physical and behavioral traits. I took from the sparse descriptions of mycers in the book to accentuate my idea.
I greatly enjoyed working through my thoughts on this, touching on different ethnic influences, ages, aesthetic, and size.

The final concept, shown first, features an acorn necklace and mice-print pattern on belt, to allude to her mouse-heritage, as well as inky mouse-like eyes and subtle, rounded ears. I limited her decoration to earrings, and gave her herb/spice pouches, as the text talks about her musty, spicy atmosphere. 

Final Concept, graphite. 2011.

Final Concept, side, graphite. 2011.

Working Concept, Right Direction. 3/4, graphite. 2011

Less "Seer" version, graphite. 2011.

One of original directions, graphite. 2011.

Another of original directions, graphite. 2011.

Literary note: The Prophecy Machine is one of the worst attempts at effective story-telling I have ever read, lacking in integrity of world aesthetic, character development, setting, plot, theme, and narration. A farce of story-telling.